Playing for the first time in over two weeks, the Webster Schroeder boys basketball team showed no rust on Friday night.

The Warriors cruised past Brighton 71-42 in a non-league game at Brighton. Schroeder, playing for the first time since a loss to Fairport on Dec. 19, improved to 6-1 overall, while the Barons dropped to 4-4.

The Warriors outscored Brighton 21-6 in the third quarter to sew up the victory.

“We’ve practiced pretty against each other (the last two weeks), which has helped,” said Matt Spadoni, Schroeder head coach. “Our second team is pretty strong. They really challenged the first team and I give them credit in this win.

Brighton is a very strong team and I give them credit. I knew we would have a tough battle, we just happened to make shots when they pressured us.”

The Barons seized momentum going into halftime as a layup by Jack Thomas cut the deficit to 31-20 after two. The Warriors turned to one of their biggest strengths, outside shooting, to pull away.

Schroeder’s first 12 points of the quarter came via the three-pointer, with four different players getting in on the act to help them build a 43-24 lead. Talented junior forward Emitt Holt sparked a 9-0 Warrior run to end the third quarter, scoring seven points.

Holt, who did not play in Schroeder’s loss to Fairport, led the Warriors with 14 points.

“It was pretty tough for me because I am just getting over the flu, but I felt good because I knew I had my team behind me,” Holt said. “I have been waiting for this for a long time.”

Holt, who averages 16 points and 11 rebounds per game, wasn’t much of a factor in the first half as went to the bench midway through the second quarter with two fouls. His teammates were well equipped to pick up the slack.

Three-pointers by Gunner Blaise and Connor Scott gave the Warriors a 15-9 lead after one. Mitchell Herman knocked down a three-pointer to give Schroeder a 31-15 advantage late in the second quarter.

“After two weeks of playing each other, you can’t wait to get going again,” said Blaise, who finished with nine points.

Warrior coaches and players were quick to credit their defense in the victory. Schroeder held Brighton guard Phil Pellegrino, Monroe County Division II’s leading scorer (17 points-per-game) scoreless.

Courtney Clyburn led the Barons with 14 points.

“We played great defense tonight,” Spadoni said. “We were communicating, we were boxing out and playing hard. I was very proud of our defensive effort. That is where games are going to be won.”

The Warriors are back in action at 7:45 p.m. on Monday when they host Webster Thomas, while the Barons host Honeoye Falls-Lima at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday.